As surely as that first red robin is an early sign of spring, a shameless career politician heading to Iowa is a sign of an impending presidential run.
That’s a political truism not because it’s easy to spot, but because – usually – it pans out. Iowa kicks off the primary season with early caucuses, and anyone wanting to play a role in that election needs to have people on the ground a couple of years out. So, those of us who watch and write about Washington keep an eye on the state to see who’s sending an advance team.